Lisbon, Portugal—When you think of a , emotional appeal hardly comes to mind. Known mostly for safety, the Swedish carmaker is trying to change the consumer's perception of its brand by adding a little styling flair and performance pep to its newest car—the —in hopes of supercharging the marque's lackluster worldwide sales. After having spent a day in the new 2011 Volvo S60 on country roads near Lisbon, I can assure you the car does not disappoint.

The all-new 4-door sedan comes equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine rated at 300 bhp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is put to the ground through a 6-speed automatic gearbox mated to an all-wheel-drive system. Thanks to peak torque available as low as 2100 rpm, the new Volvo scoots away from a stoplight or passes slower traffic with ease. Putting the transmission in sport mode means you can select gears yourself or have the gearbox hold gears until higher rpm before before shifting.

To compete with the likes of the , , , , or even the , Volvo engineers have paid special attention to dampers and bushings to give the S60 added composure in corners. Push the new Volvo a bit more aggressively around the turns and it reacts progressively to steering input. And thanks to torque-vectoring using computer-controlled left/right brake actuation, the S60 also tracks in and out of bends with excellent accuracy. With the Four-C Active Chassis, the S60 has three suspension modes (Comfort, Sport and Advanced), which allow the driver to choose a supple ride or two increasing levels of handling prowess.

In tune with Volvo's intense focus on safety, the new S60 features the world's first Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake. This system identifies people in front of the car, and slows the car automatically with full brakes if an impending collision is detected. This optional system can stop the car from speeds as high as 22 mph, which is incredibly helpful if you are traveling in crowded cities where people can be hidden behind other vehicles and suddenly dart out onto the street.

Overall, the S60's peppy performance matches well with the car's stylish exterior. The front slopes downward for that road-hugging appearance. And the rear tucks in nicely with a taut, short overhang. Inside the car, the infotainment is new, complete with satellite radio, Bluetooth connectively and multiple music format compatibility. Accessing the accessories can be done via various buttons on the steering wheel, or on the center console, or even voice-activated.

Volvo is counting on the new S60 to be its volume seller, spearheading the charge out of its recent worldwide sales slump. Available in U.S. dealers in mid-September, the S60 will start at $37,700.